Inspired by the idea of offering customers an entire cut of Japanese eel to enjoy, "Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa" opened its doors in Nagoya in 2017. With a background in managing a long-standing wholesaler that has spent 90 years catering to countless eel specialty restaurants, it is no surprise that the ingredients are as good as it gets.
They developed their keen eye for top ingredients over many years and took that experience to run the restaurant "Tateba" as well for over 60 years. They built their very own 200-meter wall of water that keeps mud out from the well water to stave off odors and ensure that the eel is always at its best. As you would expect from a wholesaler that excels in top ingredients, they have no problem offering a whole entire of eel with the utmost quality. Typically eel is cut into smaller portions before its served, but here customers are treated to a full cut of eel to enjoy. The size of their eels is about 300g, which is substantially larger than what you would normally find at other establishments. The eel itself is particularly thick, so it doesn't shrink in size after the outside is grilled to perfection. They also use high-grade charcoal for high-intensity cooking that maintains its delicious fatty flavor as well. It's prepared right after a guest order it too, which means it comes out perfectly hot and fresh in no time at all.
The restaurant employs a talented lineup of chefs, including Chef Hideaki Chabata, who worked for close to 10 years as a head chef at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Nagoya. The restaurant relies on expert chefs to make sure their top grade eel is at its most delicious and flavorful. They cook their ell over a short span of time to lock in its savory umami flavor. This also gives the eel a nice level of crisp on the outside and a light texture on the inside. The fattiness of it is sheer perfection as well. They use Shigaraki-ware pottery from Shiga Prefecture to serve "Unaju," a broiled eel dish that is traditionally served over rice in a box. Guests can also enjoy charcoal-grilled eel fillets and simply cooked eel without any flavoring, or even a full-course meal with a variety of eel dishes. All together their wide-ranging menu offers guest a full selection of eel dishes to dine on. And within 10 seconds guests can enjoy a diverse selection of cuts, including the head, fins, near the gills, and raw hearts, a rare delicacy that you can only expect to find from a restaurant like this that has direct access to highly sought-after ingredients.
"Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa" interior features a calm and composed modern Japanese-style design. They have also a full selection of seating options to choose from, including seats at the counter, table seating, and a private dining room. Guests sitting at the counter can look over through the glass pane to see the chefs expertly prepare each eel, which is a true feast for the eyes. The private room offers guests a comfortable dining space to savor and enjoy each bit of eel. This dining space is also perfect for guests looking to have a more formal dining atmosphere for their meal. With all of that in mind, it is certainly safe to say that this highly reputable restaurant truly showcases the very best of Nagoya.
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*The availability of this webpage does not guarantee that the restaurant presented provides services in English unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that English services may also depend on staff availability at the restaurant.
【Access】
A 15-minute walk from Meitetsu Nagoya Station(Meitetsu Nagoya Line)
A 15-minute walk from Nagoya Station(Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line)
A 15-minute walk from Nagoya Station(Nagoya Municipal Subway Sakurado-ri Line)
